Citing extremely strong 2010 numbers, Fred MacDonald, the father of two-time O'Brien Award-winning reinsman Mark MacDonald, has penned an op-ed column in which he states that his son has been "robbed" of the award this time around and that "the statistics don't lie."
A total of 74 individuals voted on the O'Brien Awards this year. The voters are media people that cover harness racing on a regular basis across Canada; including writers for the various trade publications and websites, as well as those in print, radio and television. All Canadian race secretaries, track publicists and simulcast hosts also participate in the voting.
After the results of the voting for Canada's 2010 Driver of the Year were tallied, it was revealed that pilots Randy Waples and Scott Zeron received the majority of the nods for the year-end honour.
In regard to Waples, Fred wrote in his column in The Guardian that, 'Waples had a great season as well. He won the Breeders Crown with aged mare Dreamfair Eternal as she dominated the Open Mares throughout the season. He won the $600,000 Maple Leaf trot with sensational San Pail, and the $539,000 Valley Victory trot with Blue Porsche. In addition, during OSS Super Final night at Woodbine, he won two $300,000 events on the same card, including one with trot standout Text Me.'
In regard to Zeron, Fred wrote, 'Zeron led all drivers in the country with 592 wins and a career-high $4.3 million in earnings. Zeron, the son of veteran driver Rick Zeron, campaigned mostly on the 'B' circuit, including Western Fair, Flamboro and Georgian Raceway. He posted 27 wins on the tough Woodbine/Mohawk Circuit. His most important win of the campaign came in the $50,000 Gold Cup and Saucer at Charlottetown with Part Shark, the youngest to ever win the event.'
In regard to Mark MacDonald, Fred wrote, 'Mark’s major wins: $1.5-million North America Cup, the richest race in North America, with Sportswriter in 1:48:3; the $800,000 Fan Hanover Stakes, the richest race for three-year-old fillies with Western Silk, the $240,000 Jugette at Delaware, Ohio, with Western Silk, a rarity for an Ontario-bred; the $100,000 Senior Jug with Lucky Man p, 1:49:2 World Record, the Eternal Camnation Stakes, all three $100,000-plus legs in one night with Idyllic, Pretty Katherine and Mater Deo.'
To view up-to-date 2010 driver standings, click here.
In his piece, MacDonald explained that he believes Standardbred Canada should in the future implement a weighted system where points are given for the magnitude of racing accomplishments throughout the year.
Also, in regard to a recent SC Web Poll entitled, With Canada's top 10 money-winning drivers listed alphabetically, who is your choice to win the O'Brien Award for drivers?, Fred wrote, ' In future, when Standardbred Canada releases its web poll perhaps it should indicate the major accomplishments of each driver to refresh the memory of those voting. Winning on the 'B' Ontario circuit is one thing, winning the biggest races in North America as Mark did against John Campbell, Ron Pierce, Tim Tetrick and Paul MacDonell and other world class drivers, that’s quite another matter.'
To read Fred's op-ed piece, click here.
(With files from The Guardian)
It is just a matter of time
It is just a matter of time to honour other brilliant drivers for awards. Bravo to Randy Waples and Scott Zeron !
This kind of makes you miss
This kind of makes you miss the days of when Doug Brown was in his prime, he left no room for argument who should win the award, he was simply tons the best and could drive circles around everyone. He was easily the greatest driver to ever drive on the weg circuit as a regular. We may never again see a driver dominate this circuit the way Brown did. These were the good old days indeed, drivers like Brown who always gave you your money's worth, full competitive fields, and a handle that large players could bet into to without affecting the odds.
In reply to This kind of makes you miss by John Carter
Brownie was great in his
Brownie was great in his prime - but I wouldn't say he always dominated. I remember a Saturday afternoon when Reg Gassien won with something like 7 drives in a row. But there was a time when it was a steady diet of Brown/Condren - agreed. For my money, the best I've seen is these parts is Ronnie Waples - "The Master".
In reply to Brownie was great in his by kinggocash
"The Master" was the name
"The Master" was the name given to Ronnie's cousin Keith Waples, by the announcer at the old Orangeville Raceway one Sunday afternoon. The announcer, while calling the race, said "faster, faster drives The Master", as Keith was storming down the stretch.
2804 drives 451 wins 408
2804 drives 451 wins 408 seconds 333 thirds 5% of $8,792,164.00 equals $439,608.20 priceless......Great year Mark!
Dave Brown
Couldn't agree more! In
Couldn't agree more!
In dealing with Mark in a media capacity, I could tell that he came in to this season rejuvenated and very focused. It really paid off on the track with one of his best seasons ever and, along the way, he has become one of Canada's best ambassadors for harness racing.
As a voter, I thought this year was one of the most difficult in recent memory in trying to come up with the top driver. Like Mark said, there were probably five or six very legitimate possibilities and it simply comes down to votes.
Although he won't have an O'Brien trophy to show for this year, I think Mark has done more than ever to cement his reputation as one of the world's elite drivers. Congrats on an outstanding year both on and off the track!
I have been reading the
I have been reading the comments and agree that Mark is a very good driver but the same judges voted for Randy and Scott
that voted for Mark when He won His awards,right or wrong?? A few younger drivers like Scott Zeron, Doug McNair and a few Others come along and win a lot of races at the smaller tracks and some at the WEG and People are complaining. The Owners and Trainer of Sportswriter didn't want Mark to drive it this year, wright or wrong?? Ontario has some of the best tracks, horses and purses in Canada and US. Where did Mark Macdonald start driving His horses Mr Macdonald? As far as beating some of the top driver from the US, even the best get beat when their horses aren't right. I always thought
that the horse had something to do with winning races. As far as beating John Campbell,Ron Pierce, Tim Tetrick, Paul
Mcdonell and Jody Jamieson these Guys get beat by some bad drivers some time. How many NACups did John Campbell win? So as I see it Mark wasn't robbed-"They just didn't vote for Him". Happy Holidays
Amen. Great post! Merry
Amen. Great post!
Merry Christmas!
Mark - your comment here is
Mark - your comment here is one of the best and classiest ever posted on this site! Good on ya, and Merry Christmas.
As is always the case Mark
As is always the case Mark has conducted himself with class and as a gentleman. Congratulations to Scott and Randy for their nominations and kudos to Mark for sharing his thoughts.
Happy holidays everyone!
Darryl
Hell hath no furry like a
Hell hath no furry like a scorned father! LOL
This is Mark MacDonald and I am so proud of the year I had and so grateful for all the Owners & Trainers that had the confidence to let me drive some of the best horses in some of the biggest races in the world. There is no feeling like crossing the wire after winning a 1.5 Million dollar race about 20 minutes after winning a $700,000 Race. The Jugette with Silky (my girl), the Simcoe with Kyle, sweeping the Champlain on grand circuit night at moh and three Super Finals was the a cherry on top. God must love me and I really dedicate my year to all the people who were blessed with a second chance in life.
I am so happy for Scott Zeron leading driver in Canada by wins and of course our leading driver at WEG Randy Waples. They both deserved to be nominated, with out a doubt they both had amazing years. Obviously, a nomination would have been nice but I have been fortunate enough to already have won two O'Brien Awards.
I am thrilled that the public (my dad lol) think that I am deserving enough for this honor. I also think, the two people nominated are equally deserving for an O'Brien Award. Hopefully, Standardbred Canada will let me be there to announce the winner and present either nominee with their trophy.
Lastly, I hope I don't sound like a politician but I truly believe that Scott, Randy and myself among others, like Jody Jamieson, Paul MacDonell, Etc. could have been nominated. It just comes down to a vote plain and simple. The two people with the most votes are well deserving and good luck to both of them!!
Hopefully next year the votes will be in my favour. Can't wait until 2011 hope I can win some more big races and make all of P.E.I., Canada and my family proud... Especially my Mom and Dad! We LOVE "Grassroots" racing, it's essential for the success of harness racing not just in Ontario but all of Canada and the U.S.A. You can't blame dad for being my biggest fan, I'm lucky to have him......
All the best to everyone in 2011.....if you have a really good horse hopefully I can drive it for you lol....Sorry to anyone that my dad may have offended but we're grassroots through and through. Thanks to everyone who helped me have this amazing year, I'm not going to mention names (CC) because this is already to long lol.
Mark J MacDonald
In reply to Hell hath no furry like a by MarkJ
Karen McDonald Your'e a
Karen McDonald
Your'e a classy act Mark, best wishes in the New Year
Mark MacDonald is a terrific
Mark MacDonald is a terrific driver and an absolute professional, I have never had anything but great experiences with Mark, and I agree that he deserves a lot of credit for his accomplishments. But, lets give credit to Scott, if you ask him to drive a horse for you he is very polite and very professional just like his dad has always been with me, even though I am not a big horse owner they've always treated me like I was. Being the fact that Scott is a young talent he has learned his trade well with the help of his dad Rick Zeron. Congratulations on your nomination Scott Zeron.
B track trainers,drivers,and
B track trainers,drivers,and horses have never be part of the o'brien awards and never will. EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Mark winacott was the leading trainer in ontario one year with the most wins by a long shot and never even got a nomination.
in short who would you have
in short who would you have drive your horse at a big race???a driver who drove some of the best horse around i would say ,he should get the vote wether its mark,randy or scott
DON'T SNUB THE B TRACKS If
DON'T SNUB THE B TRACKS
If driver of the year only goes to the winners of the big money races then you only have a handful of drivers to vote from. Mark MacDonald is a very good driver. He had the privilege of driving some great horses for Casie Coleman (excellent trainer). These horses started as $100,000 yearlings and cost almost that to train for a year. Racing and training for rich owners is a reward in itself.
The average owner cannot identify with those budgets. To them $100,000 is 10 horses if they could afford to keep them. They can only dream that a $10,000 horse makes it big but when it doesn't who is going to drive it and give them a chance to make a living.
Scott Zeron travelled often to two B tracks in one day to drive less expensive horses and gave the average owners a chance to take home some prize money. He also drove for his dad in races when he didn't have a chance. Add to that travelling to France to represent your country. In my opinion that is what the sport is about.
If we Snub the B tracks and only give praise to the big money events then we forget about the love of the game. I appreciate that Fred loves his son but really it is an honour just to be considered. I am sure that Mark MacDonald would be gracious and accept the fact that he had a great year.
In reply to DON'T SNUB THE B TRACKS If by Gleber
I dont think anyone is
I dont think anyone is snubbing the B tracks...Its great racing, but to be recognized as the best you have to compete ( and Beat the best ) on a regular basis.Scott is a great driver with potentially a great future ahead of him, but he has not done this yet.
I also thought Mark was
I also thought Mark was razor sharp all year! Randy and Scott had great years, as did many other drivers. However, I agree that Mark was back on top again this year. Unfortunately, he will not get recognized with an O'Brien, but should be very proud of his accomplishments!!
I don't see the leading two
I don't see the leading two trainers in wins at WEG nominated...nor a high percentage trainer like Dave Menary--all 3 of those trainers had stats equal to or better than Bob McIntosh...maybe more than two should be nominated in each category.
Trevor Ritchie was the
Trevor Ritchie was the driver of Blue Porsche...not sure where this came from ???
Randy did also win the Battle of Waterloo with Prodigal Seelster though.
Also it should be noted that when an SC Poll Question like this is put up, all voters have the opportunity to click on the name of every driver and look at all their stats via the TrackIT system. All of their major accomplishments are available at the click of the mouse for any voter that wishes to "refresh their memory."
It's really tough to
It's really tough to disagree with Mr. Macdonald on this one.
Winning driving titles on the B circuit and minor stakes is all good, but it pales in comparison to winning the number of major stakes Mark and Randy have collected this year.
In fact, Doug McNair is ahead of Scott in the number of wins on Canada's toughest circuit and in money earned.